Dear Parents / Caregivers and families,

On Friday we will gather as a school community to celebrate the life of St Eugene de Mazenod the founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and one of the patron saints of our parish and school.

From the earliest days of his life and mission St Eugene, had a dream to teach the most abandoned to lead them to a deep personal encounter with God. St Eugene depended on the co-operation of others to make this mission possible. This mission continues today and is embodied not only by our beloved Oblate priests, but also by every member of our parish and school community. 

When we think about the lives of saints, like St Eugene we are reminded that each of us is called to be like a stained-glass window, through which the light of God’s love and presence can shine. This is our Christian vocation, and a saint is recognised by the Church as someone from whom we can learn. St Eugene de Mazenod was canonised in 1995. In this way the Church recognised that Eugene’s life can teach us valuable lessons. Born a rich boy in 1782, he became a poor boy during the French Revolution and lived in exile outside of his country for 11 years. When the political situation allowed him to return to France he reverted to being a rich and self-centred young man but was transformed when he became aware of God’s love for him. 

Like us, Eugene was not one dimensional but had a complex character. He had a huge heart and a great capacity to love others, but this was shadowed by his moments of impatience and his outbursts of anger. His struggles to reconcile the opposite aspects of his character found strength in his relationship with Jesus as his Saviour. He dedicated his life to evangelising the poor – precisely because he experienced the power of faith in the context of his own weaknesses and during his struggles. His life became dedicated to bringing his experience of God to others. Eugene became a fighter for the poor and for the Church during times of persecution. For this reason, his personal motto, and that of the Oblates is “He has sent me to bring Good News to the poor.”

St Eugene’s life teaches us that each one of us is like a coloured-glass window through which God wants to shine. In our weaknesses, it is the light of God’s strength that shines; in our strengths it is the assurance of God’s presence that shines; in our moments of darkness, it is God who shines to lead and encourage us. Every page of the life of St Eugene is an encouragement for us to recognise each aspect of our lives as a window. Many people find in St Eugene a powerful saint to accompany them in their personal struggles.

Through his missionaries, countless people have come to discover the grace of finding God’s presence in their lives. In later life, Eugene encouraged his Oblates “to treat people as human beings, then as Christians and finally to help them become saints”. St Eugene teaches us that it is possible to be transformed and that we too may be a multi-coloured window that brings God’s light to the world. Wishing you moments in the week ahead that bring to life our school motto,

"Christ Our Way and Life" and allow St Eugene’s mission to become a reality within the context of your own life.

Tina Murray

Principal

 POLICE LIAISON VISIT

Campbelltown Senior Constable Louise Michell visited Mary Immaculate on Monday 16 May to inform Years 5 and 6 about how to be safe online and what would be considered a criminal offence. Louise mentioned restricted ages for social media platforms and explained the reality of how criminal records never go away. Teachers and students were very interested to learn about the role of a police officer in these types of incidents and about our own responsibilities and accountability. Mary Immaculate is very appreciative for Louise in taking time out of her day to advise Year 5 and Year 6 about how to be safe online and at school. 

Steven M

6 Blue

On Friday, Mary Immaculate students are invited to participate in Walk Safely to School Day.

This is an Australia wide event, where all primary school aged children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. This is a wonderful opportunity for our families to walk to school together and discuss safety issues when crossing a road. It is also an opportunity for extra exercise in the morning which may also help ease traffic congestion on the roads around our school. Plus, it’s also great for the environment!

Some families live close by the school and are regular walkers anyway, which is fantastic, we will hopefully see you walking to school on this day.  However, even if you live much further away, we encourage you to park the car a few streets away from the school and take the time on Walk Safely to School Day to walk those extra few blocks to school together. On Thursday, teachers in Kinder and Year 1 will be providing students with a special tattoo, that can be applied to the child and parent’s hands as a reminder of the importance of holding young children’s hands while walking to school.